With July marking the one-year anniversary of the opening of Places Leisure Camberley, what better way to celebrate then with a potential award win at one of the leisure industry’s most prestigious events.
The state-of-the-art leisure centre, which is managed by Places Leisure on behalf of Surrey Heath Borough Council been shortlisted in the ‘New Build and Design’ category by not-for-profit physical activity and fitness sector association, ukactive. Contending against ukactive’s 4,000 members and partners from across the UK’s public, private and third-party sectors – to be nominated, let alone shortlisted for an award is an honour.
The community venue which features a cutting-edge fitness suite, 25m 6 lane swimming pool and 20m learner pool opened on time and budget in July 2021 despite the challenges presented with the nationwide pandemic; welcoming over 60,000 people back into physical activity during its first month. It also boasts an interactive splash pad area with jets and fairy tale castle design, to better support young children in becoming more water confident and a fully immersive virtual cycling studio with cinematic screens and strobe lighting effects.
A vibrant Clip ‘n Climb climbing arena with 25 interactive fun climbing features further adds to the activity offering and a fun purpose-built adventure play area for families to enjoy.
The centre also now boasts a brand-new Costa Coffee area, where customers can relax and connect before and after activity – there’s something, literally for everyone and, every ability.
Martin Anderson, Capital Projects Director for Places Leisure said, “We are delighted that Places Leisure Camberley has been recognised as one of the best new leisure designs in the Country. The centre has been well received and a welcomed addition within the community since opening, providing a vibrant and safe place for many to get active and spend quality time doing what they love.”
Places Leisure together with their construction partners Pellikaan Construction Ltd and Architects Roberts Limbrick were awarded the Design, Build, Operate and Maintain Contract by Surrey Heath Borough Council. Cllr Rebecca Jennings-Evans, Portfolio holder for Places and Strategy at Surrey Heath Borough Council said, “We are very proud of our new leisure centre and this award is well deserved recognition for Roberts Limbrick who designed the new centre, Pellikaan Construction who built it to schedule during very challenging conditions during the COVID pandemic and Places Leisure for managing such a well-run and popular facility.
“We look forward to continued success for the new centre and for it to continue to be a popular destination for our local communities providing health and wellbeing facilities and classes. It is also wonderful that this recognition has come so quickly following Camberley being named Best Town for Business in the UK.”
Gert-Jan Peeters, Director of Pellikaan Construction added, “We are thrilled to hear that the centre is a finalist in the New Build and Design category, it is great recognition for the new leisure centre as well as for the team working on this project.”
Held in partnership with Active IQ, this year’s ukactive Awards will be held in Birmingham, with winners announced on the 30th June.
